N402XJ

On November 8, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, a SAAB-340-B, N402XJ, operated by Mesaba Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted a flock of geese during an approach for landing. The windshield wiper was torn from the airplane. The left composite propeller exhibited impact marks and chordwise scratching on the face of a propeller blade. Metal fragments punctured the left side of the fuselage and one of the fragments hit a passenger in the leg. The airplane landed without incident. The passenger was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment for minor injuries. The pilot, copilot, flight attendant, and the remaining 21 passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 121 Mesaba flight 2831 had departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota, and landed at the Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR), Aberdeen, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed.

The Captain reported the airplane was on the ABR ILS Rwy 31 approach at 600 feet above ground level when the airplane impacted a flock of snow geese. The Captain reported he decided to continue the approach for landing. Once on the ground the flight attendant informed the Captain there was a hole in the side of the airplane and that a passenger was injured. The Captain reported a doctor on board the airplane removed a piece of metal from the passenger's leg and administered first aid prior to the ambulance arriving.

The Captain reported, "When we looked at aircraft 402 it was pretty messed up. There were geese in both intakes, three holes in the side, prop blades with pieces missing out of them, a side window busted, both front windows hit and one wiper gone, the other broke off to the side, one gear was hit and one flap."